If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.

~Joseph Campbell

This is a picture of my path. An actual path, that you can stroll on. I built it last year around this time.

Well, perhaps build is too strong a word. I placed the pavers on the ground in a way that pleased me, then filled in around them with bark and ground cover. Later I planted perennials and grasses. All with a lot of help from my husband.

For years I yearned for a garden path.

I have a file folder filled with ragged-edged images, torn from magazines. And almost every article on path-making said the same thing: a meandering path is best, one that at once slows people down and pulls them forward to the next discovery.

At first I wondered if my path was too uncluttered, too easy to traverse.

Waiting to be appreciated, until it’s time to take the next tentative step and decide which way to go. To the left or right of the rosemary that’s spilling onto the pavers? Behind or in front of the salvia? Walk around or on the wooly thyme?

Reminding me, again, that traveling the path through my garden is a lot like traveling the path through my life.

And that almost all of my most profound life lessons come from nature.

For the next two weeks I’ll be doing some wandering on my path, literally and figuratively. I’ll come back and tell you all about it on June 6th. In the meantime, I welcome your comments and thoughts. Although I’ll be unplugged part of the time, I’ll be around too. And I will read and respond to all of your wise words.

I found this over the weekend – I haven’t yet flushed it out but it flows with your post, which I need to give thought to as well, but I wanted to share this:
You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself – Buddha

Hi Patti,
What’s on my path these days? It seems like it’s filled with family, friends and travel. I’m going to meet Caroline from No Wordz Photography in CA tomorrow and she’s going to do a photo shoot and make a new header for my blog.

Then the weekend we’re going to GA to stay with my daughter for the long weekend.

I write about nature a lot – and I think I’ve just realized in the past week or two how powerful that is. How much there is to learn from Mother Nature. And the reason behind it, that being in nature helps me feel grounded, to reconnect to my roots and my identity away from the pressures of society.

Enjoy your time away, Patty! I can’t wait to read what insights you bring back.

what a beautiful path! I love that you planned it out one way and it has filled in with lovely treasures all on its own. That’s the best about unfolding!
I like the poem, and I like the quote The Exception shared…
On my immediate path is picking up my children from school and enjoying this beautiful sunny afternoon together:)Forget about chores and go play for a bit!

I’ve given up trying to map out a path. I know there are certain things I want in life and therefore some basic things need to happen for me to get them, but as to the how? I just try to read and follow the signs that present themselves. Things I see, hear, think about. Things that “feel” good. Somehow or other the path just seems to present itself these days. The more I try to force it the more I get nowhere, but as soon as I let go and “give up” stuff seems to happen that takes me towards the things I want…

Your path is lovely! For the first time in my life, I’m really ready to let the path unfold before me. I’ve learned lately to plant the seeds, then stand back and prepare for the growth. One thing is for sure though; I too am tremendously inspired by nature and with summer coming up, I hope to be outdoors a lot and doing a little “meandering” of my own. Happy trails! 🙂

Hi Tisha – Welcome, and thanks for stopping by. Love your gardening metaphors. I’m so looking forward to being outside this summer too, and I’m trying to figure out all the things I could actually do outside. I read an article last year about a writer who spent almost all of her day outside in her garden, and it was quite inspiring.

I love paths, mainly the unbeaten ones. Lots of room to stretch and grow. They provide adventure and excitement. As Joseph Campbell says, I’m building my path with each bold step. Am on a new path teaching an enjoyable on-line essay writing class that’s lots of fun. It’s a great way to find one’s life purpose!

Your stone path looks inviting. Kinda like a mosaic in the woods. Giulietta

I have no idea what my path is at the moment, we are on the move again soon. I do want to peep sometimes where it is going but knowing I can’t I make sure I look where I am at right now. As that is great as well, I do not mind that I cannot see ahead. Lucky me because I would not know how I would feel when what I saw today was not as good as it is.
But then I am actually quite easy to please, lucky me again.
Have a great time, good on you, xox Wilma

My path disappears into fog or rays of sunlight or around corners most of the time while other times I can glimpse a little of it just there, around the bend. That glimpse is more a vague impression as the details are yet to materialize.
There are a few things I know will happen on the path I travel – I will wake, I will sing at some point, I will get my daughter to school and pick her up form the bus… we will eat and we will share the stories of our day and our thoughts as they occur… These are the outlines of the path… the details unfold each day – the obstacles, the bumps, the delights, the treasures…

Monday, after dropping my daughter at school I found myself knee deep in a mud puddle where a sidewalk was the previous Friday. So much for those sandals! I was able to pull one shoe out attached to my foot while the other…well, I had to pull that one out with my hand after my foot emerged covered in mud.

The path… it unfolds as I go and I honestly have no idea what turns it will take or what I will experience along the way. I trust though that I will smile, laugh, sing, and delight in the details as they appear.

What’s on my path? Literally dandelions and broken concrete. Metaphorically, my path is learning to trust myself and explore what is possible when I do. It is a fascinating journey to take and I never know where it will head next (including a few detours). I have an idea where i’d like to end up, however that will change!

I agree with you that my most “profound life lessons have come nature”:~)

I am always watching and observing the unfolding of Nature’s day in my garden. I don’t really have a garden path. I haven’t thought about it before, but it is something I might consider. I’ve always wanted to have a wild flower garden in the back and it would perfect to have a path wandering out to it.

My own personal path is pretty quiet right now. I’m enjoying walking without any specific destination in mind:~)

BTW — I liked your reading of the Wadsworth poem. It is nice to hear your voice!

Thanks for this — I like the image of you just laying the stones and then allowing whatever grows in the surrounding area to relate to the path in any way it chooses. What a great metaphor for an adventuresome life.

Why thank you, Chris. I never thought of that metaphor before, but I like it. Truth be told, though, I didn’t want to take the time to dig in each paver and level it and all that. I guess I just wanted the adventure to begin! (or perhaps I can be a tad impatient?)

Patty, I LOVE paths. Paths through gardens, forests, anywhere. When I’m out wandering and I see a path I always have the urge to follow it. Paths do beckon. And, so does nature. What is on my path? Just little ol me. I’m content.

Enjoy you sharing these thoughts on your path. In particular, your initial concern about it being too uncluttered or easy caught my eye. I think that often, we think that to be of value, our path must involve struggle and difficulty. I don’t believe that’s the case and I think your story supports that point of view. You laid out your path in a way that made you happy, took some simple steps to ensure its further development (planting) and let go. Nature did the work (effortlessly, as is its nature) and your path and the happiness it generates was enhanced. In summary, I believe that as long as the path I’m on brings me happiness and as long as I am taking steps to make me even more happy in the future (planting the right seeds), the rest will sort itself out — no need to struggle or worry!

How very insightful! Yes, I did wonder if I had planted enough in it, but as you say, nature did the work. And the more I’m in the garden, the more I learn to trust that effortlessness of nature. (And in turn learn to be patient). Thanks.

I used to have a set path, a clear idea of where I was going. Now it’s one step at a time as you so cleverly put it. I have no idea where I’m going but as long as I’m stepping with love and faith, it’s worth the journey.
I love your picture. It’s a meditation just looking at it.
Thank you!
Maryse

Hi Patty
Why such a hard question?
I plan things in minute detail but I’m beginning to think that I don’t have a path.
Good thing is… it doesn’t bother me.
Perhaps because I’m content, I’m prepared to try a few alternative routes and choose the one that I like best.
I do hope so.

I love the Joseph Campbell quote. He has another one of my favorites: Follow Your Bliss. And he did. There’s a photo of him from Esalen in his later years, surrounded by friends, and radiantly shining.

Recently I pulled out a quote from Carlos Casteneda (Don Juan) that talks about a path with heart. This gist is the only path worth traveling is a path with heart and there I traverse its full length breathlessly…something to that effect.

My hope and sense is that I am traveling a path with heart. It’s clear to see you are too!

Hi Lauren – Thanks so much for stopping back in. I love the idea of a path with heart. And Joseph Campbell was amazing, wasn’t he? I would have loved to have hung out with him at Esalen. What a kick that would have been!